Legionnaires’ disease cluster reported in Hampton, New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has identified four persons with Legionella pneumonia, also known as Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially serious bacterial pneumonia. These individuals likely acquired Legionella at the end of July or early August, in the area of Ashworth Avenue, between Island Path and H Street in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Legionella bacteriaImage/CDC

DPHS is investigating possible additional cases. DPHS is also actively investigating the source of these infections, which is usually from inhaling aerosol droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria. Sources of the aerosol can include showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and decorative fountains. It is not spread by drinking or swimming in water.

While the investigation is underway, in an abundance of caution, DPHS recommends that people who are at increased risk for severe disease from Legionella consider postponing their visit to the area of Ashworth Avenue, between Island Path and H Street in Hampton, New Hampshire.

People who take drugs that can weaken their immune systems (after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)

People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure

“Legionella is a serious infection,” said Lisa Morris, Director of the Division of Public Health Services. “We want to make sure the public is aware of the potential risk of this disease so that each person can make a decision for themselves about visiting the area in the best interest of their health.”

My husband and I got this disease about 4-5 years ago in 2013 after swimming at either Hampton or Salisbury beach. It went unreported because I didn’t have health insurance so I couldn’t see a doctor at the time and couldn’t afford out of pocket pay. I was doing full-time summer classes. The day after swimming, I instantly got pneumonia, coughing up yellow phlegm. It lasted 3-4 months and I thought I was going to die. Towards the 4th month the phlegm started turning green and solid. Every breath had a raspy phelgm sound and made you cough up more phelgm with each exhale. It was all sticking to the sink until the sink itself was yellow and green. I am lucky to be alive after catching this disease without treatment. I don’t swallow pills so it was difficult until my husband found 1 antibacterial pill he had and I crushed half of it in my food. That was when the pneumonia slowly started going away.

This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience.

Find out more or adjust your settings.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

disable

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.